Five-one up at half-time, Tonda Eckert's Southampton swept Charlton aside with an exhibition of brilliant counter attacking football.
Ryan Manning opened the scoring after 14 minutes with a headed goal at the far post which sparked four goals in the space of eight scintillating first-half minutes.
Adam Armstrong smashed home a left-footed drive for Saints' second before Caspar Jander finished cooly for the third.
Finn Azaz added two more from close range before Charlton pulled one back through a headed goal from Lloyd Jones in first-half stoppage time.
Southampton managed the remainder of the game and even rested some of their key players ahead of Tuesday night's home match against Leicester City.
Full-Time: Charlton 1-5 Southampton
Southampton player ratings:
Gavin Bazunu (GK) - 6/10 - Composed with the ball at his feet throughout this encounter. A little flat footed for Charlton's opener. Came for a corner in the second half which he had no hope of reaching and clattered into a Charlton's Lloyd Jones. He was lucky not to have given away a penalty.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (RCB) - 7/10 - Linked up well with Tom Fellows but gave the ball away too often with hopeful passes into the centre of midfield which didn't always reach their intended target. Made the lions share of Southampton's clearances.
Nathan Wood (CB) - 6/10 - A decent performance from Wood who was not really challenged by Charlton's blunt attack. Kept the ball moving across the back three in possession and made the few interceptions and clearances that he needed to make.
Jack Stephens (LCB) - 7/10 - The captain controlled the ball out of defence and managed the tempo of play with the ball. Stephens linked up very well with Ryan Manning down the left-hand side.
Tom Fellows (RM) - 9/10 - A wonderful attacking performance. Two key passes and an assist. Was the outlet for many of Southampton's attacking transitions. Is growing into the job that Tonda Eckert is asking from him.
Cameron Bragg (CM) - 8/10 - Sat in the middle of the park and protected the back three like a mature pro. Made more tackles (5) than anybody else in the side and added two key passes to his stats.
Caspar Jander (CM) - 8/10 - An excellent all round performance from Jander. The German was composed in possession, particularly when he was slid through on goal for Saints' third.
Ryan Manning (LM) - 8/10 - Took his goal like an international centre forward after continuing his run into the box and powering his header in off the crossbar. Balanced his attacking runs with good defensive cover.
Léo Scienza (LF) - 9/10 - Withdrawn relatively early with Saints already 5-1 to the good. Scienza's direct running with the ball and silky skills enabled Southampton to counter-attack at pace. The Brazilian tormented Charlton until he was substituted. Charlton, Nathan Jones in particular, will have been glad to have seen the back of him.
Adam Armstrong (CF) - 9.5/10 - Armstrong was exceptional today. Whether he was dropping deep to link up play or running in behind, everything that he did was top class. Deservedly player of the match.
Finn Azaz (RF) - 8/10 - Added to his goal against Sheffield Wednesday with two more today. Touch was a little heavy at times but he more than made up for that with his creative influence and goals.
Substitutes:
Joe Aribo - 6/10
Damion Downs - 6/10
Flynn Downes - 6/10
Jay Robinson - 7/10
Ronnie Edwards - N/A
Player of the match: Adam Armstrong
